Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-12-21
Immediately put into the domestic depart

ment.
After amusen eats of varied descriptions
had been INDUCED, preparation was made
by renewing campfire, stacking rifles, DC,
for photograph of the camp to be taken
by the artist, who by means of the "instan-
taneous drop process" included himself IN
the picture. A Waterman was employed
to keep camp, and the party with fieldglas-
ses, camera and rifles, started for 'Black
Rock" one of the highest points of the
mountain which commanded view of
many counties, commingled into vast
tract of land dotted here and there by vii
lagos and towns. They had not proceeded
far when Bert, in the advance, uttered an
expression of alarm, his rife went to his
shoulder. sharp report, and leaden mis-
sile penetrated the dark and venomous
body of rattlesnake. No other Interrupt
ton. the Black Rock was reached. 1t con-
sisted of number of tall craggy cliffs cap
ping the summit of the mountain, at the
base of which yawned dark chasms. The
scenery was superb, and the beautiful
reality far surpassed the uncertain magma
ton. Far in the distance could be seen the
silvery Shenandoah river and alongside
with it the railroad as thread winding its
way through the hills and over deep
ravines. Acron style photo was taken at
this point, and the party returned to camp
and INDUCED in fancy shooting, in which
Ward proved the most skiliful. They,
then, influenced by physical suggestions,
took tea-ssate what was set before them
and asked no questions for conscience
sake.'' Darkness began to spread its man
tie over them, but was driven from the i'm
mediate surrounding by the building OF the
campfire to an enormous proportion.
Millions of brilliant sparks springiDg,
bursting from the flames would cast their
Illumination in all directions and tinge the
darkness with a golden halo Smoking,
reading, writing and singing, were freely
INDUCED; then they retired to their couches.
buried the world in oblivion and foated
away upon the peaceful pinions of sleep
At midnight, judging by the sounds that
came from the tent, it was haunted by all
manner of domestic and instructive crea-
lures, for the gentle bleat of the lamb, gut
teral tone of the ram, bawl OF the COW,
Growing of the cock, grunt Of the hog, and
the bray of the ass, we're heard. 1t was
wonderful that the young men slept during
such annoyance. Next morning on Bert's
vacation of his berth near the comb of the
roof, Roy's ambition to gain the 'shighest
seat in the synagogue" was overwhelming,
and he climbed up, but was precipitated
down, down, over Ward, then Bert, and
finally with thud be landed on the
ground Ward was indisposed and would
stick his fingers in the fire aud urn to the
boys with face all gloging acith joy and ask
them if they spent a pleasant night
Breakfast over at eleven, stakes drawned,
horses hitched. and they babe farewell to
the Old Camp, and started for Dark Hol-
low and Frankland's Cliffs. The Dark
Hollow was Natures choice production
Down deep in the mountain gorge over
Swallowed by almost an overhanging mass
of earth and rocks, enshrouded in perpet-
ual twilight, with a cascade of silvery water
in broken and uneven laps descending over
the moss-coveIed rocks and kissing lie ashy
gloom with its sprays and the music of its
ripples, nestltd this resort Of Natures
glory. Time would not permit the party
to drink in the sweets of such grandeur. 1t
left with photo negative and an everlast-
ing impression of the beautiful. The Frank
lands Cliff reared its ashy head, crowned
with ma gnifcence and splendOr above the
yawning gorges of the mountain side. Its
tall uneven towers, connected by huge
mass of boulders, presented the appearance
Of castle of antiquity and calls to mind
many wonderful legions and fables OF the
brave knights and lords That dwelt therein.
The young men were enrsptured, and
when they were at their respective abodes
the pulse Of delightful memories would
throb their inne,most souls with joyful
emotion. Ye mountains harbor enchant-
ments and Nature bespeaks herself in every
recess. The msgnifcence and wonder of
her ways lay bare the handi work of au in-
telIigent author. En- -hrouded in the sane
tity of her works is the abode of the holy
Hierarch. The manifestation of Omnipo-
tent powers are everywhere prominent. The
frowning ravines which diverge and lose
themselves in trackless plains and beauti
full valleys, the rugged and precipitous ele-
vations, crowned with ftg, snow, or ever
greens, are perpetual monuments contiuu
ally speaking in Natures language the
wisdom of the Omniscient Ruler.
Be it said to the credit of the young men
that they possessed manhood, integrity,
and due reverance for that which is
noble, that which is good, to not allow
their minds to be contaminated by the
wine cup Or permit intoxicants a place in
their possessions. LIE RoI.
Hagersto,on, Nd, Dec. 30, 1887.
r. OIL